VOLQUEZ TO START TUESDAY AGAINST ARIZONA

Off day allows for four-man rotation

Edinson Volquez will start Tuesday night’s series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park.

Monday’s day off enables Padres manager Bud Black to go back to the top of his rotation rather than find a fifth starter in what would normally be Tim Stauffer’s slot. Stauffer is on the 15-day disabled list with an elbow strain.

Volquez will be pitching on his normal four days rest.

“It allows us to keep flexibility in the bullpen moving ahead,” said Black.

Volquez gave up three runs (two earned) on three hits and four walks in five innings against the Dodgers in Thursday’s season opener.

The Padres won’t need to name a fifth starter in the rotation until April 14 in Los Angeles.

Quentin ‘progressing’

Carlos Quentin said Saturday afternoon that his recovery from the March 19 arthroscopic surgery to his right knee is “progressing on track.”

“There is no increased swelling with increased activity,” said Quentin, who plans to hit from the tee today while standing in the batting cage.

But Quentin gave no projection about his return.

“I have to make sure it is right,” said the left fielder. “It would be inappropriate if I returned too soon and the swelling returned. Right now I’m working on getting playing strength back in the muscles.”

At the time of the surgery, the Padres predicted Quentin would miss at least two weeks of the regular season. Quentin will also make a minor league rehab assignment before he returns.

No longer exiled

When the Padres opened the 2011 season, left-handed pitcher Joe Thatcher and outfielder-first baseman Kyle Blanks had been left behind at the Padres spring training base in Peoria, Ariz., to rehab injuries.

“Being here for Opening Day this year is great because I remember how horrible it was last year,” said Thatcher, who was on the Opening Day roster Thursday along with Blanks.

“It wasn’t much fun,” Thatcher said of being left behind in Arizona last year. “Peoria was like a ghost town. One day there are 40 guys in the clubhouse and the next day it’s me, Kyle, Jarrett Hoffpauir and Wade Yamasaki the trainer. It was depressing.

“The day after everyone left to start the season was pretty tough. Not much fun.”

Blanks said he felt isolated.

“It’s like you were left behind,” he said. “Yamasaki would draw these pictures on the board each day. There was one of a guy waving from shore as a cruise ship sailed off. Very appropriate.

“We went from having everyone there to the three of us. We’d get our rehab in and leave. And there was nowhere to really go.”

Saving the bullpen

Black praised Micah Owings for the 3 1/3 innings he worked in relief of Cory Luebke in Friday night’s 6-0 loss.

Black said Owings saved the Padres from using one and possibly two more relief pitchers in his 53-pitch outing. He allowed one hit, one walk and no runs.

“When those kinds of games happen, you need someone who can give you that length,” said Black. “That’s a central role.”